Belarus plans to test Russian Sputnik V vaccine

(Patria) – Belarus is considering testing the Russian vaccine against Covid-19 on about 100 people, the country's Ministry of Health announced.

Large-scale testing of the 'Sputnik V' vaccine is underway in Russia, involving about 40,000 participants. The first results are expected as early as October, according to Kirill Dmitriev, head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF).   

The testing in Belarus would be one of the first foreign trials of the vaccine that Russia has planned. The Belarusian Ministry of Health explains that, although approval from the regulatory body is still pending, potential participants can already apply at eight clinics selected for this purpose.

Global scientific circles are openly skeptical of the Russian vaccine because, at the time it was announced that Russia was the first country to develop a vaccine, it had not undergone the mandatory advanced testing necessary for licensing – which represents a major violation of scientific protocol.

Russian officials also claim that the Sputnik V vaccine provides long-term immunity, but they have not offered valid evidence for this.